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Kakita Munemori was an aging Courtier of the Crane Clan. Although he was a highly skilled diplomat, he was also a notorious flirt, often pursuing women half his age. During the struggles of the Four Winds, Munemori stood by Toturi Tsudao, along with the rest of his clan. [1][2]

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Munemori's father called in many favors so Munemori might enter Kakita Yoshi's tutelage. After two years, Munemori began receiving assignments to negotiate in Yoshi's stead. Munemori insured he made an impression only on those who were key players in the Empire's courts. Shortly after he was released from apprenticeship under Yoshi, Munemori became close friends with Ikoma Hatori. [3]

Munemori was always careful to insure others are credited for most of his major accomplishments, and ensured courts at large regarded him as a lecherous fool. As long as the general populace underestimated his worth, he was free to move about and serve the Crane to the best of his ability. [3]

Doji Tanitsu was trained by Munemori to replace him once he was too old to continue working for the Crane. [3] It was after Tanitsu was able to outmaneuver Bayushi Kaukatsu to offer the Otomo a home within Crane lands using information supplied by Munemori about the Shadowed Tower and Kaukatsu's son Bayushi Ogura. [4] Tanitsu considered Munemori his sensei and friend. [5]

Munemori also concealed a darker side. His contact with Bayushi Atsuki through Atsuki's yojimboBayushi Kamnan introduced him in the Gozoku conspiration of the 12th century. They believed the fire at Toshi Ranbo in 1165 could be the start of the EmperorToturi III weakness, and an opportunity for those who sought the best for the Empire. If Toturi III could not rule the Empire, the Gozoku would rule instead. [8] Munemori believed the Gozoku should not be in the hands of the same leaders of the Shadowed Tower, who had been playing with maho to achieve their goals, and began to work against them from inside. [9] He worked in expanding the Gozoku, but only with individuals who he believed would join him in opposing Atsuki. [10]

Working with Atsuki and Doji Akiko he was a high ranking go-between and information gatherer for the both the Gozoku and the Shadowed Tower, regularly reporting to ninja in the gardens of the Imperial City. He was also involved in recruiting other high ranking samurai into the conspiracy, such as Yoritomo Kumiko and the Shogun. Despite plotting against an Emperor, Munemori truly believed that what he did was for the good of the Empire. [11][12][13][5] In return Munemori offered Kumiko the head of Yoritomo Aramasu's assassin, Kamnan. She had to cleanse the Gozoku of Kamnan and Atsuki. [9]

Having been a member of the court for many years, and his time in Toshi Ranbo when it was a crane stronghold, he has learnt many of the lesser traveled and more discrete passages, knowledge that he had used to curry favor with the Shogun. During the time Iuchiban was at large in the Empire, it was Munemori who manipulated Kaneka to move his legions into the imperial city, should Iuchiban take up the Emperor's challenge and attack the capital. [14] Munemori also informed Kaneka about the dark side of the Gozoku, expecting Kaneka would take away the remmants of the Shadowed Tower from the conspiracy. [9]

During a "chance" meeting with Bayushi Adachi in the gardens of the Imperial City, Munemori was given detailed plans and listings of the Shogun's legions and resources, what he chose to do with these documents remained to be seen. [18]

In 1167 Munemori was witnessing the marriage between Kurohito's daughter, Doji Domotai, and the LionIkoma Kusari at Kyuden Doji. He saw a Lion courtier talking with Doji Akiko, another fellow Gozoku. He reached the pair and Masote left the conversation. Masote had given signals he knew the Gozoku membership of Kurohito's wife. [19]